Sixteen Indo-Pacific maritime forces kick off 25th SEACAT exercise

Maritime forces from 16 Indo-Pacific partner nations, joined by personnel from non-governmental and international organizations, have begun the 25th iteration of Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) in Singapore, launching Aug. 4, 2026.

The multilateral exercise is designed to enhance maritime cooperation and mutual support in addressing crises, contingencies, and illicit activities. This year’s shore phase in Singapore debuts the integrated Maritime Operations (MAROPS) Forum, which combines previous operations and intelligence workshops to boost realism and collaboration as participants share best practices, refine integrated maritime processes, and prepare for the at-sea phase.

A revised Senior Leader Forum engages senior military leaders to exchange lessons on collective maritime challenges, improve understanding of integrated maritime operations, and participate in a capstone tabletop exercise with operational commanders and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operators.

Capt. Aaron Taylor, commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73, said, “This year’s SEACAT marks a significant evolution in how we train and cooperate, highlighting the strength of the enduring partnerships we’ve built and our collective capability to work side-by-side in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.” He added, “By combining our operations and intelligence workshops into the new Maritime Operations Forum and enhancing our Senior Leader Forum, we are building a highly integrated maritime team. This enables us to collectively address modern, complex threats, ranging from unmanned systems attacks to maritime sovereignty incursions, ensuring our partners remain ready to defend regional security, protect critical sea lanes, and uphold international law.”

During the sea phase, participating nations will practice tracking and intercepting simulated vessels across Southeast Asian waters, providing real-time sensor cueing and vessel contact information to partner Operational Centers (OPCENs), Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA), and surface assets. Scenarios include search and rescue, illegal fishing, contraband smuggling, and maritime sovereignty incursions, with the aim of strengthening collective capacity to detect, deter, and counter modern maritime threats in accordance with international law.

Participating nations are Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor Leste, Tonga, UK, Vietnam, and the United States.

The U.S. 7th Fleet is the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.